New data reveals the top states for parents– California is named ninth best.

A new study has revealed which states are the most accommodating for working parents, with California securing ninth best. 

The study, conducted by HR Tech experts SelectSoftware Reviews, scored each state out of 60 based on public-school rankings, the duration of available maternity leave, the current cost of living, the percentage of income needed to pay for childcare, and maternity leave pay.  

And it turns out that the best state for working parents is Connecticut with a score of 52.6 out of 60. The state offers incredibly generous maternity leave, with mothers able to take 12 weeks off paid, receiving 95% of their income during this time.  

Connecticut also ranks third as the state with the highest-rated public schools, while the average parent will only have to dedicate 25% of their annual income to cover childcare expenses.  

Maryland came second with a score of 49.9. The state also offers 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, while parents spend slightly less on childcare than they do in Connecticut as it equates to 22% of their income – which is nearly a fifth (19%) below the national average (27% of salary). 

In third is Colorado, with a score of 49.3. The state has the eighth best public schools in the country, alongside also offering 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.   

New Jersey was named the fourth best state for working parents with a score of 49.1, largely thanks to its high yearly salary of $78.7k. This salary means that on average parents only need to dedicate 31% of their income to childcare expenses, which is still much less than in other states.  

Rounding the top five states off is Washington with a score of 49. The state sees 27% of a parent’s income spent on childcare, which is in line with the national average – but also benefits from some of the best public schools, ranking 13th in the country. 

Delaware was found in sixth place with a total of 48 points. The state comes 11th in school rankings and has a below-average percentage of income spent on childcare at 25%.  

Following them, New York and Illinois take seventh and eighth place with scores of 46.1 and 41.7 respectively. Both states have some level of paid maternity leave and their schools rank in the top 20. 

California claims the ninth top spot with an average of 8 weeks of maternity leave, receiving a 40.9 score across all metrics.  

Finishing the top 10 is Rhode Island with a score of 39.6. The state has an above-average yearly salary of $65,377 with 24% spent on childcare. 

The top ten states for working parents, ranked 

On the other end of the scale, the state found to be the worst for working parents is New Mexico with a score of 26.4 out of 60 – 19% lower than the average score (32.8).  

The state sees parents pay 21% more than the national average for income spent on childcare at 33%, making it one of the more expensive regions for working families with young children.  

In fact, the state is one of the least affordable for childcare, given the average annual salary of $51.5k is also 17% below the national average ($62.7k).  

Second worst for working parents is Montana, as the state’s lack of paid maternity leave and high cost of living see it score 26.5. The state following in third is Michigan with a score of 26.8. 

Michigan, like the others on the worst states list, offers no paid maternity leave and is also ranked 29th for public schools. Not only that, but the state has one of the highest rates of income spent on childcare at 41%.  

The fourth state is West Virginia, who has the second lowest average yearly income at $49.1k, landing a score of 26.9. Like Michigan, West Virginia also has an above-average cost of childcare, with parents spending 36% of their income. 

Fifth least suitable state for parents is North Carolina, scoring 27.1 out of 60. North Carolina ranks 43rd in the public-school rankings and on average requires parents to spend 32% of their annual income on childcare expenses. 

The bottom ten states for working parents, ranked 

While some prospective parents aren’t able to relocate to a better state to start their family, others will want to move to an area that offers better provisions and prospects for them and their children.  

Phill Strazzulla, CEO of SelectSoftware Reviews, offers advice around what parents should consider when deciding where to live, saying: “Navigating the challenges of being a working parent requires a well thought-through approach to balance the juggling act of raising a family whilst working. 

“Parents often have last-minute leave requests due to unforeseen circumstances such as lack of childcare, family emergencies, or illness, and finding an employer that can accommodate this flexibility from a HR perspective is key for retaining staff and maintaining employee satisfaction. 

“Companies that prioritize a good work-life balance and offer family-friendly policies can play a crucial role in fostering an environment where your family can thrive, contributing to both a happy work life and a happy home life.”

Source Credit: https://www.selectsoftwarereviews.com/

Data was gathered from the World Population Review (state income, paid maternity leave, public school rankings), County Health Rankings (childcare costs), and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (cost of living index scores).  

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